NATO to Shepherd all Afghan Provinces:

Oct. 2, 2006

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

NATO will take control of some 12,000 American troops based in eastern Afghanistan, a decision agreed upon by the alliance’s defense ministers and US military officials. A NATO statement said the International Security Assistance Force would expand to include another 14 provinces in the eastern section, and would be assisting the Afghan government with security throughout the country. NATO says the expansion would be implemented once US Marine Gen. James L. Jones, NATO’s operational commander, issues an activation order, expected shortly.

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

Related Content

New F-35 Engine Contract Puts Fighter’s Price Tag Over $100M

Aug. 25, 2025
The Pentagon and contractor Pratt & Whitney reached a $2.88 billion deal for new F-35 engines, the Defense Department announced Aug. 22. The deal covers 141 F135 engines included in Lot 18 of the F-35 program, putting the average price of each engine around $20.4 million.  

KC-46 Boom Blamed for 3 Refueling Mishaps

Aug. 25, 2025
A trio of refueling accidents since October 2022 were caused by fighter jets' inability to disconnect after taking on fuel from the KC-46 refueler's boom, Air Mobility Command revealed Aug. 25. The Air Force said it is working with the tanker's maker, Boeing, on a fix. 

M18 Pistol Is Back in Action at Air Force Global Strike Command—with a Twist

Aug. 25, 2025
Air Force Global Strike Command has cleared Airmen to carry the M18 pistol again after completing inspections of thousands of handguns following the July 20 death of Airman Brayden Lovan, a 21-year-old security forces specialist who was killed on duty when his M18 pistol discharged, the command said Aug. 24.

Collaborative Combat Aircraft First Flights are Imminent, Sources Say

Aug. 22, 2025
The two Collaborative Combat Aircraft prototypes are expected to fly very soon, as Anduril Industries and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems conclude ground tests. The two aircraft will fly from commercial airports in the desert areas north of Los Angeles, California, not far from Edwards Air Force Base.